Safety guard for fiber processing unit

Abstract

A safety apparatus for use with a fiber processing unit having a plurality of rotating godet rollers. The apparatus includes a safety gate, positioned between an operator and the godet rollers, having a plurality of apertures through which a long-handled cutting tool may be extended. A plurality of guides mounted to the frame of the godet unit, each extending adjacent and substantially parallel to one of the godet rollers, limit the range of movement of the cutting tool to the proper position for cutting wrap from the godet rollers.

Having set forth the nature of the invention, what is claimed is: 
     
       1. A safety apparatus in combination with a unit in a fiber processing line, said unit having a frame supporting a plurality of driven godet rollers, said godet rollers having substantially parallel axes of rotation, each of said godet rollers having a feed side and a downstream side, wherein fibers are entrained over said godet rollers such that each of said godet rollers is partially circumscribed by said fibers on a fiber side and is clear of said fibers on a free side, and such that a nip is defined between said fibers and each of said godet rollers on said feed side of said godet rollers, said safety apparatus comprising: (a) a safety gate, pivotally mounted to said frame and movable between an obstructing position and a clear position, said gate having a plurality of openings through which an elongated cutting tool may be extended to access said free side of said godet rollers while said safety gate is in said obstructing position; and   (b) guide means, mounted to said frame such that said guide means extends substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of one of said plurality of godet rollers proximal said free side of one of said plurality of godet rollers, for preventing an elongated cutting tool from being drawn into said nips.   
     
     
       2. A safety apparatus in combination with a unit in a fiber processing line, said unit having a frame supporting a plurality of driven godet rollers, said godet rollers having substantially parallel axes of rotation, each of said godet rollers having a feed side and a downstream side, wherein fibers are entrained over said godet rollers such that each of said godet rollers is partially circumscribed by said fibers on a fiber side and is clear of said fibers on a free side, and such that a nip is defined between said fibers and each of said godet rollers on said feed side of said godet rollers, said safety apparatus comprising: (a) a safety gate, movably supported for selective movement between an obstructing position and a clear position, said gate having a plurality of openings through which an elongated cutting tool may be extended to access said free side of said godet rollers while said safety gate is in said obstructing position; and   (b) guide means for preventing an elongated cutting tool from being drawn into said nips, said guide means comprising a guide bar mounted to said frame such that said guide bar extends substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of one of said plurality of godet rollers proximal said free side of said godet roller.   
     
     
       3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said guide means further comprises a stabilizing member, said member rigidly affixed to said guide bar such that said elongated cutting tool may be extended intermediate said guide bar and a portion of said stabilizing member. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said guide bar has a front end and wherein said stabilizing member comprises a stabilizing rod having a U-shaped portion affixed to said front end of said guide bar such that said U-shaped portion opens toward said downstream side of said godet roller. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said stabilizing rod further comprises an elongated side portion extending substantially parallel to and spaced from said guide bar. 
     
     
       6. An apparatus as defined in claim 3, further comprising means for stopping the rotation of said godet rollers when said safety gate is not in said obstructing position. 
     
     
       7. A safety apparatus in combination with a material processing unit having a plurality of godet rollers mounted on a frame for parallel driven rotation, wherein said material is entrained for movement over a portion of the surface of each godet roller of said plurality of godet rollers from a feed side to a downstream side, said apparatus comprising: (a) a safety gate, having a plurality of openings, said gate selectively movable between a clear position and an obstructing position; and   (b) guide means mounted to said frame such that said guide means extends substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of one of said plurality of godet rollers proximal a free side, rotationally between said downstream side and said feed side and opposite said portion of the surface, of said one of said plurality of godet rollers, and cooperatively positioned relative to one of said plurality of openings to limit the movement of a tool inserted through one of said plurality of openings in said safety gate to an area proximal said downstream side of one of said plurality of godet rollers.   
     
     
       8. A safety apparatus in combination with a material processing unit having a plurality of godet rollers mounted on a frame for parallel driven rotation, wherein said material is entrained for movement over a of the surface of each godet roller of said plurality of godet rollers from a feed side to a downstream side, said entrained material defining a fiber side and a free side of each godet roller of said plurality of godet rollers, said apparatus comprising: (a) a safety gate, having a plurality of openings, said gate selectively movable between a clear position and an obstructing position; and   (b) guide means cooperatively positioned relative to one of said plurality of openings to limit the movement of a tool inserted through one of said plurality of openings in said safety gate to an area proximal said downstream side of one of said plurality of godet rollers, said guide means comprising a guide bar, having and first end and a second end, said first end mounted to said frame such that said guide bar extends substantially parallel to one of said plurality of godet rollers proximal said free side of said godet roller.   
     
     
       9. An apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said guide means further comprises a stabilizing member, said stabilizing member positioned laterally of said guide bar. 
     
     
       10. An apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said stabilizing member comprises a barrier portion, spaced from said guide bar and extending substantially parallel thereto, defining an insertion area for said tool intermediate said barrier portion and said guide bar. 
     
     
       11. An apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein said stabilizing member further comprises a fulcrum portion proximal said second end of said guide bar, said fulcrum portion extending laterally of said guide bar toward said barrier portion of said stabilizing member. 
     
     
       12. An apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said stabilizing member comprises a rod, and wherein said fulcrum portion of said stabilizing member is substantially U-shaped and opens toward said downstream side of said godet roller. 
     
     
       13. A safety apparatus in combination with a unit in a fiber processing line, said unit having a plurality of driven godet rollers, said godet rollers having substantially parallel axes of rotation, each of said godet rollers having a feed side and a downstream side, wherein fibers are entrained over said godet rollers such that each of said godet rollers is partially circumscribed by said fibers on a fiber side and is clear of said fibers on a free side, and such that a nip is defined between said fibers and each of said godet rollers on said feed side of said godet rollers, said safety apparatus comprising: (a) safety gate, movably supported for selective movement between an obstructing position and a clear position, said gate having a plurality of openings through which an elongated cutting tool may be extended to access said free side of said godet rollers while said safety gate is in said obstruction position; an   (b) guide means for preventing an elongated cutting tool from being drawn into said nips, said guide means comprising an elongated brace extending adjacent and substantially parallel to said free side of one of said plurality of godet rollers, said brace having a first side and a second side, said first side spaced laterally from said second side such that an area is defined therebetween for insertion of said elongated cutting tool.   
     
     
       14. An apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said guide means further comprises a fulcrum portion intermediate said first side and said second side of said elongated brace. 
     
     
       15. A safety apparatus in combination with a material processing unit having a plurality of godet rollers mounted on a frame for parallel driven rotation, wherein said material is entrained for movement over a portion of the surface of each godet roller of said plurality of godet rollers from a feed side to a downstream side, said apparatus comprising: (a) a safety gate, having a plurality of openings, said gate selectively movable between a clear position and an obstructing position; and   (b) guide means cooperatively positioned relative to one of said plurality of openings to limit the movement of a tool inserted through one of said plurality of openings in said safety gate to an area proximal said downstream side of one of said plurality of godet rollers, said guide means comprising an elongated brace extending adjacent and substantially parallel to said free side of one of said plurality of godet rollers, said brace having a first side and a second side, said first side spaced laterally from said second side such that an area is defined therebetween for insertion of said elongated cutting tool.   
     
     
       16. An apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein said guide means further comprises a fulcrum portion intermediate said first side and said second side of said elongated brace. 
     
     
       17. A safety apparatus in combination with a material processing unit having a plurality of godet rollers mounted on a frame for parallel driven rotation, wherein said material is entrained for movement over a portion of the surface of each godet roller of said plurality of godet rollers from a feed side to a downstream side, said apparatus comprising: (a) a safety gate, having a plurality of openings, said gate selectively movable between a clear position and an obstructing position; and   (b) guide means cooperatively positioned relative to one of said plurality of openings to limit the movement of a tool inserted through one of said plurality of openings in said safety gate to an area proximal said downstream side of one of said plurality of godet rollers, said guide means comprising a U-shaped member opening toward said godet roller having opposing side portions spaced apart for the insertion of a long-handled cutting tool therethrough and extending toward said godet roller sufficiently to arrest movement of said tool tangentially of said godet roller.   
     
     
       18. A safety apparatus in combination with a unit in a fiber processing line, said unit having a plurality of driven godet rollers, said godet rollers having substantially parallel axes of rotation, each of said godet rollers having a feed side and a downstream side, wherein fibers are entrained over said godet rollers such that each of said godet rollers is partially circumscribed by said fibers on a fiber side and is clear of said fibers on a free side, and such that a nip is defined between said fibers and each of said godet rollers on said feed side of said godet rollers, said safety apparatus comprising: (a) a safety gate, movably supported for selective movement between an obstructing position and a clear position, said gate having a plurality of openings through which an elongated cutting tool may be extended to access said free side of said godet rollers while said safety gate is in said obstructing position; and   (b) guide means, having opposing side portions spaced apart for the insertion of a long-handled cutting tool therethrough and extending toward said godet roller sufficiently to arrest movement of said tool tangentially of said godet roller, and spaced from said safety gate and adjacent one of said plurality of godet rollers, for preventing an elongated cutting tool from being drawn into said nips.